Friday, March 30, 2012"Interveners" are preparing a case against the NRCGroups opposed to nuclear power say the commission is not considering alternative powerby WKSU's VALERIE BROWN

ReporterValerie Brown

The Ohio Green Party is among several groups nationwide opposed to nuclear power that are preparing a court case against the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. They say the commission did not give enough consideration to alternative energy sources that could replace the Davis-Besse power plant in Toledo--a requirement of the National Environmental Policy Act.

FirstEnergy is working to renew the plant’s license for another 20 years starting in 2017. But the opposition says, for the region powered by Davis-Besse, a combination of wind and solar power can generate enough electricity.

Terry Lodge is the lawyer representing the groups in their case against the commission. He says he expects to go to trial around this time next year.

“It is very important for there to be some sort of public voice in these kinds of matters," Lodge says. "The three parties in this almost entirely side on every major issue with the utility company. It’s very clear to me that the five-to-nothing vote simply reflects a disturbing, tiresome and frankly obsolescent view of protecting an industry that’s collapsing.”

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission requires alternative energy sources to be sufficient to meet consumer demands to be considered as a replacement for nuclear power. It says wind and solar power cannot supply sufficient amounts of electricity and that there is no indication they will be able to before Davis Besse’s license expires in five years.